UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Allocation of Rs. 5.01 lakh crore reported for welfare of women and girls in the gender budget statement of FY 2026-27,an increase of Rs. 11.55% over the GBS allocation of Rs. 4.49 lakh crore in FY 2025-26

Q1. In the Gender Budget Statement of FY 2026-27, which one of the following Ministries/Departments reported the highest proportion of its own allocation as gender-specific expenditure?

  • A. Ministry of Women and Child Development
  • B. Department of Rural Development
  • C. Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region
  • D. Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation

Q2. With reference to the three-part classification of the Gender Budget Statement, consider the following: 1. Part A comprises schemes with 100% allocation for women. 2. Part B comprises schemes with at least 30% but less than 100% allocation for women. 3. Part C comprises schemes with 30-50% allocation for women. 4. Part C was introduced in the Gender Budget Statement from FY 2024-25. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Part A comprises schemes with 100% allocation for women.
  2. Part B comprises schemes with at least 30% but less than 100% allocation for women.
  3. Part C comprises schemes with 30-50% allocation for women.
  4. Part C was introduced in the Gender Budget Statement from FY 2024-25.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q3. With reference to the origin and institutionalisation of Gender Budgeting in India, consider the following: 1. Gender Budgeting was introduced in the Union Budget from FY 2005-06. 2. The Gender Budget Statement was first presented as Statement 20 and later renumbered as Statement 13. 3. Gender Budgeting Cells were mandated in Ministries/Departments from 2004-05. 4. Gender Budgeting was introduced following the recommendations of the C. Rangarajan Committee. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Gender Budgeting was introduced in the Union Budget from FY 2005-06.
  2. The Gender Budget Statement was first presented as Statement 20 and later renumbered as Statement 13.
  3. Gender Budgeting Cells were mandated in Ministries/Departments from 2004-05.
  4. Gender Budgeting was introduced following the recommendations of the C. Rangarajan Committee.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 3 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. The Ashok Lahiri Committee, whose recommendations underpin the introduction of the Gender Budget Statement, was an expert group constituted to examine which one of the following?

  • A. Classification of Budgetary Transactions
  • B. Restructuring of Centrally Sponsored Schemes
  • C. Rationalisation of Government Subsidies
  • D. Review of Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management targets

Q5. In the institutional architecture of gender-responsive budgeting in India, the Gender Budgeting Cells (GBCs) are best described as which one of the following?

  • A. Nodal units set up within each Ministry/Department to institutionalise gender-responsive budgeting
  • B. Autonomous bodies under NITI Aayog that audit gender-specific expenditure
  • C. Standing committees of Parliament that review women's welfare allocations
  • D. State-level agencies under MWCD that disburse Mission Shakti funds

Q6. With reference to the institutional framework of gender budgeting in India, consider the following: 1. The Ministry of Women and Child Development is the nodal ministry for gender budgeting. 2. Smt. Annpurna Devi is the Union Minister of Women and Child Development. 3. Gender Budgeting Cells are mandated in every Ministry/Department. 4. NITI Aayog is the nodal agency that prepares the Gender Budget Statement. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The Ministry of Women and Child Development is the nodal ministry for gender budgeting.
  2. Smt. Annpurna Devi is the Union Minister of Women and Child Development.
  3. Gender Budgeting Cells are mandated in every Ministry/Department.
  4. NITI Aayog is the nodal agency that prepares the Gender Budget Statement.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 3 and 4
  • D. 2, 3 and 4

Q7. The figure of 9.37% associated with the Gender Budget Statement of FY 2026-27 refers exclusively to which one of the following?

  • A. The share of the gender budget allocation in the total Union Budget for FY 2026-27
  • B. The share of the gender budget allocation in India's Gross Domestic Product
  • C. The year-on-year growth of the gender budget over FY 2025-26
  • D. The share of Part A (100% women-specific) schemes within the total GBS

Q8. Comparing the Gender Budget Statement of FY 2026-27 with that of FY 2025-26, consider the following statements: 1. The GBS allocation rose from Rs. 4.49 lakh crore to Rs. 5.01 lakh crore. 2. The share of the GBS in the Union Budget rose from 8.86% to 9.37%. 3. The number of reporting Ministries/Departments rose from 45 to 53. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The GBS allocation rose from Rs. 4.49 lakh crore to Rs. 5.01 lakh crore.
  2. The share of the GBS in the Union Budget rose from 8.86% to 9.37%.
  3. The number of reporting Ministries/Departments rose from 45 to 53.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q9. With reference to the two sub-schemes of Mission Shakti, consider the following statements: 1. 'Sambal' is the sub-scheme for safety and security of women. 2. 'Samarthya' is the sub-scheme for empowerment of women. 3. 'Nari Adalat' is a component placed under the 'Samarthya' sub-scheme. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 'Sambal' is the sub-scheme for safety and security of women.
  2. 'Samarthya' is the sub-scheme for empowerment of women.
  3. 'Nari Adalat' is a component placed under the 'Samarthya' sub-scheme.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q10. Under the 'Sambal' sub-scheme of Mission Shakti, the component 'Nari Adalat' is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. Women's collectives to facilitate alternative dispute resolution and gender justice within families and society
  • B. Fast-track special courts set up to try crimes against women
  • C. All-women police stations established at the district level
  • D. Legal aid clinics operated by the National Commission for Women

Q11. By approximately how many percentage points did the share of the Gender Budget Statement in the Union Budget increase from FY 2025-26 to FY 2026-27?

  • A. 0.41 percentage points
  • B. 0.51 percentage points
  • C. 0.61 percentage points
  • D. 1.05 percentage points

Q12. With reference to the Union Budget 2026-27 and its Gender Budget Statement, consider the following: 1. The Union Budget 2026-27 was presented on 1 February 2026. 2. It was presented by Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman. 3. The Gender Budget Statement data was released by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. 4. The Gender Budget Statement is always presented as a stand-alone document, wholly independent of the Union Budget. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The Union Budget 2026-27 was presented on 1 February 2026.
  2. It was presented by Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman.
  3. The Gender Budget Statement data was released by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
  4. The Gender Budget Statement is always presented as a stand-alone document, wholly independent of the Union Budget.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 2 and 3
  • D. 3 and 4